Closure system for a drainable pouch

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a drainable ostomy pouch having a closure system that includes a resealable press and seal material. The material facilitates closing and opening of the ostomy pouch outlet. A space between the comfort panel and the pouch material can accommodate the closure system or at least a portion of the closure system.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/450,715, filed on Oct. 8, 2009, which is a U.S. National Phase ofPCT/US08/61212, filed Apr. 23, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/913,723, filed on Apr. 24, 2007, each ofwhich is incorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to drainable ostomy pouches for thecollection of waste from a temporary or permanent ostomy opening and,more particularly, to the closure system for a drainable ostomy pouch.

The invention is applicable to a one-piece ostomy appliance in which thedrainable pouch is integral with an attachment pad or wafer forattaching the drainable pouch to the body of the ostomate and with atwo-piece ostomy appliance in which the pad or wafer for securing thedrainable pouch to the ostomate is separate from and is releaseablyattachable to the drainable pouch.

Drainable pouches include an outlet through which the pouch contents maybe drained thereby enabling the pouch to be reused.

Some drainable pouches have one or more reinforcing members forcontrolling the cross-sectional shape of the outlet. The reinforcingmembers may be used to open the drainage outlet. By manually squeezingthe opposite edges of the reinforcing members positioned at oppositesides of the outlet, the reinforcing member can be deformed so as toenlarge the opening. The use of these reinforcing members are described,for example, in EP1378218A1; GB2346328; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,825,005;2,875,451; 5,745,926 and 3,724,461.

A drainable pouch has a body portion and a tail portion. The tailportion extends from the body portion and is tapered. The tail portionincludes a recloseable outlet through which the pouch contents candrain, typically into a toilet.

Of great concern in a drainable pouch is the closure or fastening systemfor the outlet. Such closure systems may include a separate fastener,such as a closure clip which is removeably positioned so as to pinchclosed the pouch material in the tail portion of the pouch outlet whenthe drainable pouch outlet is to be closed and removed when it is to beopened. Another type of fastener is an integral fastener that is carriedpermanently on the pouch. A typical integral fastener utilizesmechanical engagement such as a hook and loop fastener or fasteners withmushroom tip projections.

There are concerns that arise with each of these types of fasteners. Forexample, a clip fastener is relatively rigid and some people find themuncomfortable to wear. The clip is also an additional, and typically,separate item which the ostomate needs to manipulate and operate whenutilizing a drainable pouch. Providing a clip that suitably pinches thefilm together so as to prevent leakage while not opening unintentionallyor cutting the pouch material and causing leakage are all additionalconcerns of a clip.

The hook and loop type fastener is difficult to wipe clean and ittypically has a fabric-type base that absorbs liquids and is difficultto dry when wet.

The mushroom projection type fasteners make the drainable pouch moredifficult to manufacture since the fasteners require proper placement onthe pouch of the strips carrying the projections. Also, the propermanner to close a drainable pouch with these projections and thecomplexity of the design is not readily intuitive.

Furthermore, the hook and loop fasteners and projection type fastenersare typically mounted on a firm backing. This combination of the backingand interlocking material yields relatively rigid components. Concernsthat arise include the need for manual dexterity, possible discomfortfrom the relatively rigid panels and/or tearing of the film by the edgesof the panels.

Accordingly, objectives of the present invention include providing aclosure system that is lightweight, easy to manipulate, integral withthe tail, leak proof, soft and flexible, easily re-useable andintuitive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a drainable ostomy pouch with an integralclosure system. This drainable ostomy pouch includes two panels, a frontbody-side panel and a rear opposing panel. The body-side panel faces theostomate when the pouch is worn. The two panels are joined along theouter periphery of each panel in a manner so as to form a pouch with anoutlet. In the body-side panel is a stomal opening. The stomal openingreceives waste from the stoma of the ostomate. The waste passes throughthe stomal opening into the pouch. The pouch has a body portion and atapered tail portion extending from the body portion. The outlet of thedrainable pouch is in its tail portion. The drainable pouch has itscontents drained through this outlet, typically into a toilet.

The tail portion of the present invention includes a closure system witha film on at least one of the two panels making up the tail portion. Thefilm is a thin film capable of adhesively sealing against itself,referred to as self-sealing, when portions of the film are pressedtogether. The sealed film can be peeled apart and readily resealed. Italso functions when wet. The preferred thin film is a self-sealingadhesive coated and textured (SSAT) film developed by Procter and GambleCompany that utilizes a pressure sensitive adhesive to help theself-sealing opposing material to grip each other. This SSAT film isalso covered with a multitude of bumps and depressions. The surface ofthis SSAT film adheres and mates in part with itself as a result of theadhesive used and the fitting of many of the hills into complimentaryvalleys. While it is possible that other films with an appropriateadhesive and surface topography would function well, it has been foundthat the press and seal technology developed by Procter and GambleCompany and marketed by The Glad Product Company as a recloseable systemfor food packaging works particularly well.

Patents relating to the Procter and Gamble technology include U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,662,758; 5,871,607; 5,965,235; 6,193,918; 6,421,052; and6,489,022.

The SSAT film has a position proximate to the outlet. The SSAT film onthe tail portion is foldable or rollable upon itself so as to close theoutlet when the SSAT film is pressed and sealed to itself. The sealedSSAT film can be reopened to permit opening of the outlet. Accordingly,the drainable pouch outlet can be closed so the pouch can receive wastethrough the stomal opening and collect it in the pouch. The closuresystem can be opened, the pouch drained and the outlet reclosed. In thismanner, accordingly, the drainable pouch can be reused.

The SSAT film is preferably on both panels of the tail portion. The SSATfilm preferably covers both portions of the tail portion entirely,however, strips of SSAT film on the panels covering less than all of thetail portion may also be used. According to the present invention,strips of the closure material are preferably joined to the opposingsides of the outlet of the drainable pouch. Preferably, the width andlength of the strips approximate that of the tail, although the stripscan be smaller in length and/or width and still function as a closuresystem. It is possible to have the SSAT film on one panel of the tailportion and for the closure system to be functional, however, it ispreferred to have the SSAT film on both panels.

The strips are laminated onto the tail panels. This is typically donewith adhesive or by welding, with welding being the preferred manner ofattachment. The material welds very well and provides a nice, relativelyflat surface.

Optionally, SSAT features can be created on the surface of a commonlyused pouch film, besides the possibility of a stand-alone SSAT film. Forexample, the ostomy film (i.e., EVA/EVA/PVdC/EVA/EVA) can be coated withself-sealing adhesives in a textured form. Other processes that cancreate SSAT feature on a film surface include printing and embossing.

The preferred SSAT film material has the adhesive coated texturedsurface on one side only and it is the side that faces outward from bothof the panels of the tail.

While the prior art discusses this film technology, there is nosuggestion or teaching in the prior art of laminating strips of thisSSAT material or one with similar characteristics, to the opposing filmpanels on the tail of a drainable pouch so as to allow repeatableopening and closing of the outlet.

The drainable pouch may have a comfort layer covering at least part ofthe body-side panel or there may be two comfort panels covering both thebody-side and rear opposing panel. Comfort panels are well known indrainable pouches.

In the drainable pouch of the present invention, the comfort layer issealed to the body-side panel and/or the rear opposing panel so as toleave an access opening between the comfort layer(s) and the panel it iscovering. The access opening is preferably perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the tail portion and proximate to where the tailportion extends from the body portion of the drainable pouch. The accessopening accommodates part of the tail portion when it is folded orrolled which occurs when the outlet is closed.

The pouch may include one or more comfort panels covering the body ofthe pouch. The base of the comfort panel just above the tail of thedrainage pouch may be left open to provide access to the space betweenthe pouch film and the comfort panel. The access opening's width ispreferably at least the width of the tail portion of the pouch

After the tail portion is folded or rolled up it may be inserted throughthe access opening and tucked into the space between the comfort paneland pouch material. The size of the access opening being of a width toaccommodate and retain the rolled up tail. Alternatively, the SSAT filmmay extend from the tail portion onto the body of the pouch beneath thecomfort panel. The comfort panel can be lifted to permit access to thespace or pocket by the rolled up tail portion.

When the rolled up tail portion is retained between the comfort paneland pouch material it is protected from unintentional unrolling. Also,the outer contour of the rolled up portion is softened by the comfortpanel cover.

When the pouch is to be drained, the rolled up tail portion is removedfrom the pocket and unfolded. After draining, or at any time, thesurface of the press and seal material can be washed relatively easily.Even when wet, the press and seal surface allows suitable closure of thetail when folded or rolled.

The drainable pouch may have reinforcing members on the tail portionproximate to the outlet opening, with one reinforcing member on eachpanel of the tail portion. Reinforcing members are well known indrainable pouches and they help to facilitate opening of the outlet whenthe opposing ends of the reinforcing members are pushed laterally towardeach other. The reinforcing members can be positioned on top of thepress and seal film or the press and seal film may be located on thetail portion but not where the reinforcing members are positioned on thetail portion.

The ostomate rolls the tail up and since the material on the tail sticksto itself (adheres) and mates with itself (hills and valleys), the SSATfilm seals the outlet as it is rolled up. Since the film of the pouchpanels and the SSAT film on the tail portion are each thin and soft whenthey are rolled up, the resulting roll is relatively soft and thin. Thedrainable pouch may include the reinforcing members as part of the rollthat can act as a guide or template for the folds or rolls.

The tail can be folded or rolled up until it reaches a designated level,such as the end of the tail.

The SSAT film avoids the need for interlocking components and theprocess needed for attaching the loop components. The press and sealmaterial can be provided in rolls printed onto the pouch film tofacilitate its processing into a drainage pouch having a tail with pressand seal material laminated onto it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the body-side of a drainable pouch.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the drainable pouch of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a drainable pouch according to thepresent invention is generally designated by the numeral 10. This pouch10 has a body-side pouch panel 12 and an opposite side panel 14. Each ofthese panels is composed of film material typically utilized for ostomypouches, such as multiple ply film that includes layers of ethylenevinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC).

The body-side pouch panel 12 has a stomal opening 16 and is shown withmechanical coupling structure 18 surrounding the stomal opening 16. Thecoupling may, alternatively, be one used in an adhesive coupling system.The coupling 18 is capable of being secured to a mating coupling on thebody-side wafer. It is alternatively possible for the pouch to have anadhesive wafer instead of the mechanical coupling 18 and attach directlyto the wearer's skin. Commonly, a hydrocolloid adhesive is used for thispurpose.

The drainable ostomy pouch 10 includes a body portion 20 and a tailportion 22. The tail portion 22 is shown with a reinforcing member 26 atend 28 of the tail portion 22 on the body-side pouch panel 12 and on theopposite side panel 14.

The tail portion 22 has on its outer surface a thin film 30. This thinfilm is capable of self-sealing when pressed against itself. It is alsocapable of being peeled apart or unbonded and resealed when pressedtogether again. It can be wetted and dried without losing desirableadhesive properties. It can be referred to as a press and seal film witha specific type being the preferred film. The preferred thin film 30 istextured and coated with an adhesive. The texture includes hills andvalleys this encourages the sealing of the film to itself. The preferredtype of film was developed by Procter and Gamble Company and is soldcommonly by The Glad Product Company to seal food containers. TheProcter and Gamble film is described and discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,662,758; 5,871,607; 5,965,235; 6,193,918; 6,421,052; and 6,489,022incorporated herein by reference. This preferred film has been referredto occasionally herein as SSAT film.

The thin film 30 is mounted on the outer surface of both the body-sidepouch panel 12 and the opposite side panel 14. It covers the entiresurface of the tail portion 22 except for where the reinforcing members26 are secured.

The reinforcing members may be used as a template or guide when the tailportion 22 is folded or rolled up.

The body portion 20 of the pouch 10 has a comfort panel 40 covering theouter surface of the body-side pouch panel and the opposing rear sidepanel. The comfort panels 40 are welded along their periphery 42 to thepanels 12, 14. The comfort panel 40 on the body-side pouch panel 12 liesagainst the skin of the wearer and is composed of material that is morecomfortable to the ostomate than the pouch panel film. Comfort panels 40may include perforations to allow air circulation and be composed ofmaterial so as to reduce potential stickiness to the ostomate due toperspiration.

The comfort panels 40 have a base 46 that is not welded or secured tothe body-side pouch film 30. Accordingly, there is access to the pocketsformed between the comfort panels 40 and the body portion 20. Thepockets exist because the comfort panels 40 are welded to the pouch film30 along the periphery 42 but not along the base 42.

It is also possible to utilize the thin film 30 on the tail portion 22as a closure system by having the material only on one panel of the tailportion 22 and/or utilizing strips of the thin film 30 that do not coverthe entire dimensions of the tail portion 22.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drainable ostomy pouch comprising: a) a frontbody-side panel and a rear opposing panel, said panels being joinedtogether along the outer periphery of each panel to form a pouch with anoutlet, said front body-side panel including a stomal opening forreceiving waste into said pouch therethrough, the pouch having a bodyportion and a tail portion extending therefrom, said tail portion havingsaid outlet; b) said tail portion comprising i) a closure system,wherein each of said panels comprises a reinforcing member locatedproximate to said outlet, and ii) an adhesive film capable ofself-sealing and covering at least one panel of said tail portionentirely, said tail portion being foldable upon itself so as toresealably close said outlet; and c) a comfort layer covering at leastpart of said front body-side panel, said comfort layer being secured tosaid front body-side panel in a manner so as to leave an access openingto a pocket formed between said comfort layer and front body-side panelproximate to where said tail portion extends from said body portion,said access opening accommodating at least part of said tail portion ina folded condition in the formed pocket.
 2. The drainable ostomy pouchof claim 1, wherein said adhesive film seals to itself when pressedtogether in a fold and separates from itself when unfolded.
 3. Thedrainable ostomy pouch of claim 1 wherein said adhesive film is on theouter surfaces of both panels of said tail portion.
 4. The drainableostomy pouch of claim 1, wherein said adhesive film does not cover theentire dimension of the tail portion.
 5. The drainable ostomy pouch ofclaim 1, wherein the closure system comprises strips of said adhesivefilm.
 6. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 1, wherein said adhesivefilm covers both panels of said tail portion entirely.
 7. The drainableostomy pouch of claim 1, wherein the adhesive film comprises hills andvalleys to promote sealing of the film to itself.
 8. The drainableostomy pouch of claim 1, wherein the adhesive film is produced usingprocesses comprising coating, printing, embossing, or a combinationthereof.